Our 10-day road trip itinerary to the Pays Basque takes you to the best places to visit in the southwest of France. You’ll uncover a land rich in history and an incredible diversity of landscape. From the lively beach resorts along the Atlantic coast to the high-altitude peaks of the Pyrenees, discover the hidden jewels of the French Basque Country!
Most people you may ask about the Basque Country will most certainly point at the North-West part of Spain on a map… Well, that’s not wrong, but it’s not exactly right either. In fact, the Basque Region spreads across both France and Spain. While the biggest part is indeed found on the Iberian territory, let’s not forget about the small area in the southwest of France where local people claim high and proudly their Basque origins and culture.
Despite its incredible food culture and diversified scenery, the French Basque country doesn’t attract as much international tourism as its neighbouring country. Essentially famous for the fancy surfing town of Biarritz, the Pays Basque and its countryside remains relatively unknown which, in fairness, makes it an excellent off-the-grid destination in Europe!
The best way to visit this welcoming and charming part of France is by car. The winding roads along the coastline and those meandering through the countryside valleys are in great condition and often dotted by viewpoints and pleasant small villages. Whether you prefer to base yourself in one place and take day trips or go on a road trip, this itinerary is definitely what you need to prepare for your trip!
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS 10-DAY ROAD TRIP
IN THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
10-DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Pays Basque│French Basque Country
DAY 1 | BIARRITZ
Aim to either arrive the day before or early in the morning to count this day as the first one. The main touristic area isn’t large, but you’ll probably need an entire day to truly experience what Biarritz has to offer.
You can get around on foot so you won’t need a car on your first day. It might be best to rent one later during the week from the airport which is only 15 min away by local bus (€1.20). If you are driving your own car, note that parking are busy and expensive so it would be best to book a place with free parking or look for a spot in the more residential area near la Côte des Basques.
On your first day, enjoy the sights and smells of the ocean by taking a stroll along the 4km coastline from the Côte des Basques to the Lighthouse on the north side of town. Along the way, watch surfers, chill at Port-Vieux, grab a snack in the city centre, play in the waves at the Grande Plage and at the end of the day, watch the sunset from the lighthouse or enjoy a seafood dinner at the terraces of a Crampotte at the Port-des-Pêcheurs.
READ MORE: CITY GUIDE – WHAT TO DO IN BIARRITZ
If you have a bit of time, take a surfing class at la Côte des Basque or keep this activity for the next morning, depending on when the low tides are. For the most experienced surfers, you can rent a board for about €20/day and catch a wave at any of the 3 large beaches in Biarritz city centre. Just be aware that the more the tides are in, the bigger they are.
| Eat: Bali Bowl – Bar Jean – Le Corsaire
| Sleep: Surf hostel – Hôtel Alcyon – Windsor Grande plage
| Activities: Private walking tour – Waling tour of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
DAY 2 | BAYONNE
On your second day head to Bayonne. If you are staying in Biarritz, you can take a local bus for €1.20 one way and visit the town on foot. If you drive there, you will find free parking spots on the outskirt of the city centre. Street parking is expensive but free on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and bank holidays. Any other day, look for a Vinci car park, the first hour is often free.
Bayonne is a charming city but not as touristy as Biarritz. We love its beautiful narrow cobblestone streets lined with colourful half-timbered houses and local businesses. The city centre is very lively, mostly during the weekend when the local market is on and the “Bayonnais” shop around town.
Don’t miss the exceptional view of the houses reflecting themselves in the Nive and Ardour riverbanks on which Bayonne was built. Nearby, within “Grand Bayonne” head to “Les Halles” to taste local specialities, then explore the streets “rue du Pont-Neuf”, “rue d’Orbes”, “rue de la Monnaie” or “rue des Basques” to find chocolate and ham shops – two delicious regional specialities in Bayonne.
Before leaving, find the small intersection of 5 streets called “places des 5 cantons” and walk to the Cathedral Sainte-Marie and its cloister. It is a beautiful roman structure that might remind you of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, and that you can visit for free.
| Eat: Le Chistera – Chocolat Cazeneuve – L’atelier du Chocolat de Bayonne
| Sleep: Hotel Cote Basque – Welcomehome64
| Activities: Private walking tour of Bayonne with a chocolate tasting
DAY 3-4 | BASQUE VILLAGES
On day 3 pick up your car early in the morning at Biarritz Airport and drive to La Bastide-Clairence (35km via motorway A64) – where you will start your visit to the most beautiful villages of the Basque country. In this town, you will spot the first Basque typical houses painted in white and decorated with red half-timbered shutters. Don’t hesitate to take your time and explore the main street where many crafters and artists expose their work.
Once you have finished your tour, drive 18km south towards Cambo-Les-Bains on road D10. It is a gorgeous little town known mostly for its thermal bath. There, don’t miss the “villa Arnaga” and its magnificent gardens that once belonged to the famous French dramatist Edmond Rostand (Cyrano de Bergerac).
In Espelette, only 10 mins drive from Cambo, you will be able to learn (and taste) the local red pepper called “Piment d’Espelette”. Although, the main attraction here is the peculiar way locals dry this town’s iconic product. In fact, from September, the peppers are freshly harvested and hung on the facades of typical basque houses. They will be left drying all year long! In the town, go window shopping and taste the different products made out of the “Piment”. Our tips: try the chocolate!
READ MORE: MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES OF THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
From Espelette, head to Aihnoa (6km) – one of the most beautiful villages in France. If you are not tired of the white and red houses yet, then drive also to Sare (9km). From Sare, you can either hike the hill La Rhune or take a small train to the summit. Count 4 hours for the hike and a couple of hours for the train. On top of the hill, you’ll appreciate a 360° panorama over the Basque region, from the Atlantic Ocean to the snowcapped peaks of the Pyrenees. You can hike from the town of Sare or from the start of the train at the “Col de Saint-Ignace”, 4km from the village.
If you plan on spending time around Sare and hiking la Rhune or only taking a day trip from Biarritz, we would recommend skipping La Bastide-Clairence which is a bit out of the way. Start your exploration instead via the road D932 to Cambo-Les-Bains.
You can also add a day to your itinerary and stay in Sare for the night, explore La Rhune on day 4 and then continue with this itinerary.
| Eat: Chez Doxpi in Espelette
| Sleep: Sare Hotel Arraya – Aihnoa Hôtel Ithurria
| Activities: La Rhune and Sare caves – La Rhune train or hike
DAY 5 | NIVÉ VALLEY
It is time to head towards the Pyrenees, but before exploring the mountains, we would recommend driving around the Nivé Valley to discover more of the local food specialities.
From Sare, drive to Bidarray where you can buy a typical Gâteau Basque at the local bakery right next to the famous “hell bridge”. The legend has it that the Devil had been thrown off because of his incapacity to learn the Basque language (Euskara)…!
Bidarray is a very small village mainly known for being one of the best spots to start a rafting trip on the Nivé river. If that’s something you want to do, count about 3 hours and a budget of €30-ish for one descent.
From there, you can then either take the main road D918 to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or take the narrow countryside drive to Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorri and the Nivé Valley up to the town of Aldudes if you have time (we recommend the latter). Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorri is very charming with its medieval bridges crossing the Nive de Aldudes bordered by peaceful gardens and typical basque houses. From the main square, the view of the local Fronton and the mountain peaks in the background is beautiful.
If you don’t spend too much time around the village, continue your drive up the valley to Aldudes. Along this route, you will find cheese and pork farms. Some can be visited for free or for a small fee. If you stop, don’t hesitate to taste the local ham and sheep cheese. Delicious!
Whether you skip the valley or not, head to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port for the night. If you decide to spend the day here instead of the Nivé valley, go for a walk along the village’s cobblestone streets to the Saint-James’ door, the walkable ramparts and then up to the citadel (best at sunset). Saint-Jean is particularly busy from Mars to October as it is the main starting point of the French Way Pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostella. We advise booking your accommodation ahead.
MORE: What to do in Saint-jean-pied-de-port, a complete guide
| Eat: Gâteau Basque in Bidarray – Brasserie chez Marc Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorri – Café Ttipia in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
| Sleep: Hôtel des Pyrenées – Hôtel Ratmuncho – B&B Garicoitz
DAY 6-7 | PYRENEES
From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port you have the opportunity to quickly rise up within the western part of the Pyrenees chain. There are a few places that you could drive to in order to spend time in altitude and discover the extraordinary Pyrenean landscapes. In fact, on day 6, take a day trip to either the Iraty Forest, to Larrau and the nearby Holzarte bridge or to Sainte-Engrâce where you can hike around the Kakuetta gorges. Count a good 1.5 to 2 hours drive one-way for each place. You might not be able to do them all in a day, and if we had to choose, we would definitely recommend the Kakuetta gorges.
On day 7, If you are keen on a bit of a hike, we can only recommend crossing the border along the Napoleon route to Roncesvalles in Spain. This hike is the first (and most challenging) part of the French Way many pilgrims take to reach Santiago (about 35 days later!). Note it can be quite complicated if the weather is bad and we wouldn’t suggest you hike it if you are not a little bit prepared with proper hiking gear.
If you have the chance to get a beautiful sunny day, count about 7 hours (without a heavy backpack) to walk the 25 km. The walk will take you up to 1500m and you will pass beautiful scenery! In Roncesvalles treat yourself to a well-deserved €1 glass of red wine (vino Tinto) and take the bus back to Saint-Jean (more info here).
MORE: 7 GREAT HIKES IN THE FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
If hiking isn’t what you had in mind, what about driving that route past Orisson to the Vierge De Biakorri and the mountain passes of Elhursaro and Arnostéguy? Once at the top, continue to Estérençuby to complete a loop back to Saint-Jean (count about 3 to 4 hours with stops).
Another activity that you may enjoy, is walking up the little mount Harriguibeleta. This steep but short path will take you from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the local wineries growing the famous grapes of the Domaine d’Iroulegya (see map).
DAY 8-9-10 | ATLANTIC COAST
It is time to leave the countryside and head to the Atlantic coast for a few days, where you can either relax at the beach, surf, visit small fishing villages or continue hiking around by following the trail of the Coastal Path from Biarritz to Hendaye.
Base yourself in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and start your explorations from there whether you decide to walk or drive. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a vibrant town favourited by the older generations and families for its quiet bay and easy access. Despite its ritzy feel, the city is affordable and busy during the day, but nice and quiet at night. Feel free to buy all your souvenirs from the main pedestrian street, chill at the beach, treat yourself to some local Macarons at the Maison Adam and taste seafood platters.
On day 9, go explore the southern part by following the coastal path to Cibourne, the Socoa Fortress, the Castle of Acadabia onwards to Hendaye at the border with the Spanish border. The hike is quite easy and offers incredible viewpoints over the erratic coast of Biscay. The “Corniche” as the local calls it can also be driven – a few parking spots will allow you to stop on the way. If you drive, it will take only 40 min to Hendaye, so perhaps you could continue your day exploring San Sebastian and eat lots of Pintxos!?
MORE: 7 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE SPANISH BASQUE COUNTRY
On your final day, head North back to Biarritz or the airport. Make sure to stop on the way in Guétary and/or Bidard for a surfing session, a quiet swim or just to enjoy the peacefulness of these two beautiful fishing villages.
| Eat: Macaron at Maison Adam, Drink at Le Suisse, Coffee at Akeita, and lunch or dinner at any restaurant on “Rue de la République”
| Sleep: Hôtel Arena – Hôtel de Paris – Grand Hôtel de la Poste
SELF-GUIDED ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Alternatives to this itinerary in the pays BASQUE
You can start your exploration from Hendaye if you fly into Spain, to the San Sebastian airport which is only 8km away. You’ll certainly find more affordable places to stay there than in Biarritz and might also have the chance to book cheaper flights in and out of Spain! Although, if you go this way and rent a car in Spain, make sure your insurance of the rental company allows you to drive in France (and vice et versa if you come from France to Spain). There shouldn’t be any issues, but it is best to check the Terms and conditions prior to booking your car.
This itinerary is obviously flexible. Feel free to spend more time in each area. The Basque country is rich and a lot of activities such as hiking, river rafting, fly-fishing, paragliding, surfing, etc. are available.
Finally, if you have more than a week in the region, why not continue your road trip to the Spanish side or take day trips to Pamplona from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or to San Sebastian from Hendaye/Biarritz? These places will give you also an overview of the Basque culture on the other side of the border.
Prepare for a Self-guided TRIP in France
Local transportation vs rental car
Travelling in the southwest of France on your own is quite easy if you drive your own car or rent one from the airport. But when it comes to travel with local transportation it can be a little bit trickier to reach the most typical Basque villages in the remote countryside. Local buses and trains along the coast are plentiful but as soon as you pass the touristic line of the beach towns, local transportation gets sporadic.
To explore the French Basque country, we would recommend going on a road trip for about a week to 10 days. However, this itinerary can also be done as day trips from wherever you plan on basing yourself. Most destinations listed here are at most a 50 km radius drive away from one another. This makes the Basque region quite easy to discover even if you’d prefer staying in one and only place during your holidays instead of going on a road trip and sleeping in a different place each night.
Renting a car in France
Renting a car will give you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace and take in all the sights that interest you. The road network in the French Basque country is easy to navigate and is well-maintained.
Although, make sure to book your car ahead of your trip to France as prices can increase drastically the closer you get to your travelling dates. We recommend using the comparator Discover Cars to find the best deals online. The best part about Discover Cars is that you get full coverage insurance for less than €7 a day! You can also compare all the companies in the market, choose the type of car you want and see all the most recent customer reviews before making a booking. On the website, you can easily narrow your search price to find the best deal within your budget.
DISCOVER CARS – BEST FRANCE ONLINE CAR RENTAL
When booking a rental car in France online, I use Discover Cars because they offer Full coverage for less than €7 a day. It is the best rental car comparator out there!
National and international companies such as Avis and Europcar (that you can easily book via Discover cars) are located near Biarritz airport. These tend to be much more suited for international travellers.
If you are already in the backcountry, and cannot access the main cities to pick up your car, you can look into supermarket rental car offers such as Leclerc and Carrefour. The first one rent cars for €4 per day with mileage included for long rentals – it is €0.17 per kilometre overwise. In Carrefour, with about 100 km per day included, rentals cost about €25 per day. The only issue is that you need to provide proof of address and a check as a deposit. If you don’t have any of these, it is best to call ahead and ask the alternatives as a non-national.
Budget and best time to visit the Pays Basque
In terms of budget, planning a road trip or day trip on your own will be much more affordable than if you take a week-long organised tour. Yet, the Basque country isn’t a cheap destination and budget accommodations are difficult to find. Hostels are quite rare in France and pretty expensive for the service offered – count about €40 per night for a bed in a dorm…
If you are travelling as a couple, you are better off staying in a B&B, or finding a low-range hotel or camp. But the best advice we can give if you are really on a tight budget is to avoid ritzy cities along the coast such as Biarritz. There, you can expect to pay about €80 for a double per night for mid-range accommodation with breakfast included and a minimum €150 for a more luxurious experience. If you have a car, don’t hesitate, therefore, to stay outside the towns and look for guesthouses in remote villages.
Note: prices bump up from May to September and the most affordable hotel and economic cars tend to get booked out months in advance. If you plan a trip during this period, book ahead and keep in mind the region gets very busy with national holidayers who love spending time along the Atlantic coast in July and August.
> In spring, the “Pays Basque” will be a lot less crowded but be aware that with the few French bank holidays happening from April to June, as well as the temperature heating up, locals usually take long weekend vacations during Easter and throughout the month of may – mainly if the 1st and 8th of May happen to be a Tuesday or Thursday! A lot of French people enjoy “Faire le pont” – which means they will take their Monday or Friday off to get a very long weekend with only 1 day off. Of course, they usually head to the beach for a few days.
> From October to April, the region gets very humid with day-long of rainfalls. Well, the countryside is very green for good reasons! Yes, all in all, it rains often in the Basque Country, and a lot more in the summer than in winter. Although, these are hardcore but quick rainfalls when heat thunderstorms break down at the end of the afternoon. They don’t last and are crucial to get the temperature to drop a little bit in the evening! In autumn and winter, it can rain non-stop all week, which is obviously less enjoyable.
If you are getting scared about the weather details provided, I am sorry to say there is nothing you can do about it. The Basque country is known for its humidity and rainfall but that shouldn’t stop you from booking yourself a nice week away. Go with the flow, the region is as beautiful with or without the sun anyway 😉
COST OF THIS 10-DAY ITINERARY
€1700 │ $1900 │ £1540
price for 2 people
Return flights from Dublin/Biarritz: €64 per pers. (+€12 for 10kg check-in bags)
Rental car – 9 days: €170 (+€86 for full insurance)
Fuel, Parking: €110
Food and drinks: €320 for 2 persons
Accommodation: €800
Train La Rhune: €19 per person
Surfboard rental: €20/day per person
join a tour to visit the French Basque Country
If you want to see all these beautiful places but can’t drive around, no worries. From Biarritz, San Sebastian or Bilbao, it exists many tours that will bring you around the Pays Basque for one to a few days. Here is a selection of guided tours:
- Explore the Atlantic coast via Hendaye, Saint Jean de Luz and Biarritz – 8 h – €270 – From San Sebastian
- San Sebastian and Biarritz Full Day Tour – 8 h – €70 – From Bilbao
- Bayonne – Private walking tour – 2 h – €25
- Saint Jean de Luz – Private walking tour – 2 h – €25
- Biarritz – Private walking tour – 2 h – €25
ARE YOU ON PINTEREST?
What about saving this post to your Pinterest board? Click on the photo to save this blog post for later.
We are also on the platform and we love pinning great travel tips. Follow Tales From The Lens’ boards to see our latest pins.
Don’t be shy, come say hi!
Please note │ This blog post may also include affiliate links to hostels or products we recommend, which means if you buy something following a link on this page, we’ll get a small commission. This will be of no extra cost to you but will help us continue running this blog. Thank you for your support.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen – Owner, writer & photographer – has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. She has visited more than 60 countries and set foot on every continent in the world!
>> Favourite countries: New Zealand, Bolivia, Iceland.
>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Japan, Botswana, Alaska.
>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
Jen is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife and outdoor activities. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. For more info, check out the About page.
If you’ve found this travel guide useful and want to say Thank You, you can now buy me a virtual coffee!
This is a perfect article with an extensive road trip itinerary. This is one area that we have been meaning to visit for years. We have been close but just never seemed to have the time to extend. The town of Bayonne interests me and then moving onto the Basque villages. Definitely I think the way to travel is by rental car – it gives you the opportunity to stop wherever you want, although as you say, parking can be expensive. Thanks for the information
I have not paid much attention to Basque County before but you have got all my attention now. The places look from fantasy-world. The Basque villages are places that I would surely like to do a road trip through. Among all the places, Pyrenees took my heart away – just so beautiful. Thanks for sharing options of stay, eat, and also activities.
I will be traveling Europe via camper van next summer and this sounds like the perfect itinerary for us to take when we get to France in order to see the best of the Basque Country! I would love to hike in the Pyrenees along the Napolean route, as I love a good hike. Of course, exploring the historic and charming Basque towns like Esplette in order to try some chili sounds like a blast as well. I can’t wait until next summer to try this road trip through such a special part of France!
I have been putting together an itinerary for France and neglected this part of the country. In fact, I hadn’t read much about it at all. Biarritz looks beautiful, such a great place to spend a few days relaxing by the water! I would love to explore Bayonne, it appears to be a town I would fall in love with and the little villages throughout the area would be fun to check out as well. Great tip about the humidity and rain Oct-Apr
This looks like such a fantastic road trip! A great combination of superb food, amazing landscapes and the countryside looks heavenly. The French Basque country deserves a visit- and I know I am likely to fall in love with the Basque villages, the Nive Valley and the Atlantic Coast specifically.
This sounds like an incredible road trip. I didn’t realize that the Basque Region spreads across both France and Spain. I think my favorite part of this trip (besides the delicious food) would be seeing the Atlantic Coast!
I’m hoping to visit South France for next spring. Too bad that you’re constantly adding more places to my itinerary, lolz! The region is indeed incredibly gorgeous with its own share of a bit of everything – vineyards, hiking regions and beaches! Nive Valley and Pyrenees would be main priorities I guess. I’ve heard of the French Way taken by pilgrims. Good to know a part of it is in this region. Also good to know that there’s a bus available for the return journey after the trek. I guess I can’t mix this with my South France trip. This… Read more »
You are welcome Jane. I hope you will have the chance to visit the area one day. All the best
No prob Shreya. I am glad you discovered this beautiful part of the globe thanks to this post. It’s my main motivation to continue writing!!
Yeah!! I am so glad you’ll be taking this road-trip or at least visit the Basque country next year. It is such an incredible place and I really hope this post will help you organise your journey in France.
Hi Medha, I am sure you will! The Basque Country is incredible. It has definitely stolen my heart!
Haha, yeah, I am with you on that one. The Atlantic coast is inspiring and there is so much to do. I am sure you won’t be disappointed with the seafood there 😉
I am glad you liked this post. Yeah, the basque country deserves your full attention but if you are close enough, treat yourself with a couple of days in the region.
My visit to France was postponed to next year, and the south of France is included to my future itinerary. I like the places you’ve shared, the guides are very helpful, and I am excited. 2-weeks in France following your guide would be an amazing experience.